SD1222. Mary Russell Mitford to Emily E. Jephson
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 10, 330 (in part).
[Three Mile Cross]
[January 1845]
Everybody is talking of Miss Martineau’s “Somnambule.” She writes to Miss Barrett, who forwards her letters to me. The last intelligence is, that Lord Morpeth was on his knees the other evening, talking Greek and Latin, and three modern languages to the poor girl; the Miss Liddells being present. When Imitation was touched, she translated what was said; when Language, she replied to it. I can well believe this, having seen myself things as wonderful. For my own part, I see no good in these experiments; while they will certainly destroy the innocent contentment of the patient, thus forced upon that miserable pinnacle called notoriety. Charlotte Elizabeth has addressed a letter to Miss Martineau, in which she attributes the agency to Satan. …
Have you seen dear Miss Barrett’s poems? They are making a great impression both in England and America. The last poem in the first volume, “Lady Geraldine’s Courtship,” forty-two pages, was written in a day, and is perhaps the best in the book, almost as wonderful an exploit as any of the feats of mesmerism. …
Text: L’Estrange (2), III, 192–193.
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